Gas blast circuit breaker



Aug- 10, l954 A. LATOUR GAS BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. l, 1951 INVENTOR AHDR E LA7-o UR BY @Za/JJM Aug. l0, 1954 A LATOUR 2,686,243

GAS BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. l, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :fili

.. ANDRE LA7-OUR Allg. 10, 1954 A. LATOUR GAS BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. l 1951 lNvENToR ANDRE LA7-OUR Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 1, 1951, Serial No. 249,044 ln France April 6, 1940 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires April 6, 1960 15 Claims. l

The present invention relates to a gas blast circuit breaker.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of Patent No. 2,574,334, dated November 6, 1951, which matured from the copending application, Ser. No. 763,924, iiled July 23, 1947, for Air Blast Circuit Breakers, and of application Ser. lio. 723,726, now Patent No. 2,584,888, dated February 5, 1952.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure which renders the gas blast circuit breaker particularly suitable for interrupting currents having a high voltage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an arrangement which has a reduced overall height.

It is a further object of the present invention to render all parts and more particularly the contacts of the gas blast circuit breaker easily accessible.

The present invention comprises in its broadest aspect a housing forming a chamber therein, two contact members having end portions, respectively, facing each other, the contact members being arranged in the chamber movably from a first position into a second position, the facing end portions of the contact members being in the second position thereof farther from each other than in the first position, means for establishing an electrical connection between the facing end portions of the contact members while the same are in the first position thereof, the contact members being electrically disconnected when in the second position thereof, means for introducing gas under pressure into the chamber, and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, the gas-operated means moving the Contact members simultaneously from the first into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters the gap created by the movement of the contact members between the end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween.

Preferably a gas blast circuit breaker according to the invention comprises enclosure means enclosing the facing end portions of the contact members while the same are in the nrst position and while they move from the rst position into the second position so as to prevent access of gas un 'l pressure thereto.

A pre rred embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing forming two preferably horizontal chambers therein arranged c oaXially to each other and symmetrically with respect to a median pla-ne which is preferably vertical, and the means for introducing the gas under pressure include conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the median plane of the two chambers, the conduit means communicating with the two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into the chambers.

Preferably two current terminals are connected, respectively, to the two movable contacts, one of the terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of the terminals leading current out of the circuit breaker.

In one embodiment of the present invention the circuit breaker comprises two stationary nozzle members arranged at opposite sides of the hollow member and extending, respectively, into the two horizontal chambers, the two movable contacts cooperating, respectively, in the rst position th reof with the stationary nozzle members.

In another embodiment of the present invention two stationary contact members are arranged at the opposite sides of the hollow member and eX- tend, respectively, into the two horizontal chambers, means being provided for establishing an electrical connection between the stationary contact members so as to connect the movable contact members electrically with each other in the iirst position thereof.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a gas blast breaker according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section along the line i-zcz of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 shows a modiiied detail of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. l shows the same detail in another modifica tion; and

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the circuit breaker according to Fig. l together with auxiliary control elements for the gas blast.

Referring noi-.v to the drawings, and rst to Figs. l and 2, the circuit breaker comprises two equal chambers l ile, 10Q which are symmetrically and coaxiaily arranged with respect to a median pla-ne itl indicated by a broken line. The chambers i962, imi comprise, respectively, hollow insulators 3Q and 30 and metal hoods 2l and 2l' arrangedL at the ends of the hollow insulators which face in opposite directions.

Each chamber encloses a contact arrangement which will be described hereinafter for the chamber itt only. It should be understood that the chamber 199 encloses an equal arrangement.

The hollow insulators 3! and 30' are screwed with the ends arranged oppositely to each other to a substantially annular and hollow member 3l which is supported by a hollow vertical insulator 33 forming part of a conduit l2 carrying the compressed gas or air to the circuit breaker. The hollow insulator 33 and the hollow member 3! are arranged symmetrical to the median plane lill and communicate with each other.

The hollow member 3l has the shape more clearly seen from Figs. 1 and 2 and consists of a foot portion E35 screwed to the vertical insulator 33 and connected to a hollow cylindrical portion 05 provided with opposite apertures such as IE5 communicating with the interior of the hollowT insulators 5S, and 39. Furthermore, the hollow member 3! comprises a header portion mi extending from the top thereof downward to a curved portion iil provided with opposite apertures for the accommodation of two hollow horizontal stationary members I, I' being designed as nozzles made of insulating material into which extend two movable hollow Contact members 2, 2 in circuit-closing position thereof, referred hereinafter as the first position.

The upper part of the hollow member 3l is shaped as a chamber Li, hereinafter called the exn haust chamber, communicating with a horizontal duct a having a plane of symmetry coinciding with the median plane ll and leading to two opposite vertical side branches 3 and 3 (Fig. 2) which have openings l, l', respectively, at the bottom thereof which are separated from the interior of the branches 3, 3' by cylinders 8, 8', respectively, consisting of one or more layers of metal gauze for cooling the gas or air blast leaving the circuit breaker in the manner more fully described hereinafter.

The exhaust chamber l is connected to the duct 9 by an orice 5 which can be more or less completely shut by a valve 6 acted upon by a compression spring i so 'that the valve 6 is in open position unless an overpressure prevails in the exhaust chamber.

The hood 2'? is provided with an exhaust opening 26 and a terminal i it whereas the hood 2 is provided with an exhaust opening 2t and a terminal i i l -forming part of a disconnecting switch i3 connected in series with the circuit breaker (see also Fig.

The movement of the movable contact member 2 shownin open position in dotted lines is controlled by a movable piston lli arranged in a cylinder l5 coaxially arranged within the hollow insulator 3i?. 'She movable Contact member 2 is held in the iirst position thereof by a compression spring it inserted between the piston i4 and a stationary guiding member I5'. The right hand face of the piston llt may be subjected to the pressure of compressed gas through one or more apertures l? provided in the wall of the cylinder l5. The left hand face of the piston I4 may be subjected at will either to atmospheric pressure or to the pressure of the compressed gas by a duct I3 connecting the interior of the cylinder I5 with a distributor i9 having two positions more fully to be described hereinafter and being connected to the interior of the chamber IBG by an opening 35.

The central hollow duct of the movable contact member 2 communicates with the atmosphere by an orifice 2! provided in the rear part of the guiding member I5'. The orifice 2l may be closed by a valve 22 kept in open position by a spring 23. Furthermore the hollow duct of the movable contact member 2 is connected to the atmosphere by one or more lateral orifices 2li in the guiding member l5', which are closed by the movable contact member 2 during the opening movement thereof.

Both groups of orifices 2li and 2! open into an exhaust chamber 25' enclosed in a wire mesh 25 and protectedfrom weather influences by the hood 21. The left end of cylinder l5 is designed as a flange 28 attached to the insulator 3S by a collar 29.

The distributor IS is controlled by an insulatingr pusher 38 actuated by a cam 39 integral with an insulating rod de which is rotated by a crank il actuated by a connecting rod l2 controlled by a piston 133, which is moved pneumatcaliy against the force of a spring 35.

When the breaker is closed the movable contact members abut against each other with the facing end portions thereof. In this position no air or gas flows can occur, in the chamber 4 or within the duct of the movable contact mem* bers such as 2, whatever the pressure in the interior of the insulators 39, 3G and 33 may be. If it is intended to open the circuit breaker a gas such as air under pressure is admitted through the conduit 52 to the chambers l and itt so that the right hand face of the piston i4 is subjected to the pressure of the gas passing through the apertures il and the lefthand face to atmospheric pressure transmitted by the duct i8, the distributor I9 being in this moment in the position shown on Fig. 1. Thus the piston M moves outwardly, compresses the spring i6, and drives the movable contact member 2 into the second position thereof indicated by dotted lines in which it closes the orifice 24.

In the vsecond position of the movable contact member 2, the compressed gas flows rapidly through the stationary nozzles i, l the exhaust chamber the orifice 5, the duct 9 and through the openings i9 and lil. Furthermore compressed gas flows through the hollow of the movable contact member 2, the orifice 2E and the exhaust opening 2S of the hood 2. Thus a very strong blast is produced and the arc formed between the movable contact members is rapidly extinguished. As soon as the gas blast becomes effective, the valves 6 and 22 begin to close but owing to their mass, cannot complete the closing strokes thereof before the lapse of a certain time, exceeding the maximum time period necessary for extinguishing the arc.

When the valves 22 and 6 are closed, the gas blast is interrupted, however the gas pressure is maintained without appreciable loss within theV insulators Se, Se until the circuit is finally interrupted, thus maintaining the insulation between the contacts.

The final opening of the circuit is secured by the opening of the disconnecting switch i3.

If the disconnecting switch i3 is left in closed position and a closing o the circuit is intended, the distributor I9 is actuated by subjecting the piston 43 to a pressure which drives the same against the force of the spring l5 and rotates crank 4i, the rod ri and the arm 3Q, thus actu-- establishes a connection between the duct I8 and the opening 3H communicating with the interior of chamber IPs-9. In consequence thereof, the piston ifi is subjected on both faces to the same pressure and is rapidly moved by the force of the spring i5, thus moving the movable electrode 2 from the second outer position to the rst position thereof which closes the circuit breaker. The now of compressed gas into the chamber 4 is closed and the apertures 24 are opened through which the residual compressed gas is exhausted immediately into the open air. The valves o and 22 are no longer exposed to any pressure and are returned to the open position by their respective springs.

The device is then ready for a new operation.

It should be noted that during the closing movement a very short blast occurs, as soon as the movable contact members such as 2 uncover the apertures Eli. rllhis is advantageous because the ionized gases formed the closing arc are removed so that a subsequent break is not disturbed by the pressure of ionized gases.

It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in Fig. l the closing of the breaker is achieved by putting the two movable contact members 2 in direct contact with the end faces thereof contacting each other. The reduction of pressure in the chamber 4 begins as soon as the movable contact members enter the neck of the nozzles such as i and proceeds at a very fast rate so as to be achieved at the moment when the contact members meet. If necessary, grooves may be provided on the contacting faces rof the movable contact members.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the ina sulating nozzles i are designed as hollow stationary contact members 12o, ili which cooperate with the movable contact members 2, 2', respectively. The stationary contact members 23 and i2! are electrically connected by an electrical connection which may be formed by the rounded portion lo@ of the header portion lol of the hollow member 3i. Of course, at least the header portion in? should consist of metal in this case. However, if desired, a separate member (not shown) may be provided for electrically connecting the stationary contact members iZU, |2I.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. el, the stationary contact members IEB, i2! consist of one piece and include a connecting element 122.

In Fig, 5 a device according to the invention ig. shown together` with the accessories thereof. The circuit breaker is denoted by di. The disconnecting switch I3 is shown in closed position.

Il@ is a current transformer feeding a tripping elay 5S rl'he breaker is supplie-d with come r presse-d gas from a reservoir ci through a pneuo c `Falve 52, controlled by an electro-valve A branch pipe starting at the valve 52 supplies through a duct 55 a device securing a rapid reclosng of the break-.er without intervening of the disconnecting switch and through a duct the pneumatic control of the disconnecting switch. A cool; 5'.' provided in the duct 55 and actuated manually or mechanically allows to render, if desired, the reclosing device inoperative. 53 and are pneumatic valves having their opening timed by calibrated throttles E56 and 5i, respectively, the cross-sections of which are calculated as functions of the dead space of the cylinders controlling said valves, so that the pressure necessary to actuate these valves is only reached after a predetermined lapse of time. The dead space situated behind the piston of supply duct for compressed air and connects the ducts 53 and 65 to atmospheric pressure. The valve 64 is an electro-valve closing the gas supply when its electro-magnet is energized and is maintained energized by the contact El thereof.

88 is a manometric device closing a contact 69 when the pressure has become sumciently strong in the duct 66.

A similar device opens a contact ll, when actuated by the pressure prevailing in a chamber 13, pressure being transmitted to the chamber 73 with a delay by a throttle l2. The piston 43, as has been explained in connection with Fig. 2, controls, when moving in the direction of the arrow RE, the rapid reclosing and when moving in the direction of the arrow D the release of the breaker.

The movement of the disconnecting switch i3 is controlled by a piston 'lli sliding in a cylinder 15. The opening of the disconnecting switch i3 is accomplished by supplying compressed gas to one face of the piston lo through the valve 5S and a duct l, and its closing by supplying the compressed gas to the other face of the piston ifi thruogh a closing valve or an electro-valve (not shown). At the end of its opening stroke, this device opens an auxiliary contact il and at the end of its closing stroke an auxiliary Contact "i8, thus bringing the closing valve (not shown) into rest position. An auxiliary source 'E9 supplies low voltage current to the diiferent circuits of the arrangement.

The breaker may be utilized as ordinary circuit-breaker or as a circuit-breaker with rapid reolosure.

In the. rst case, the cock 5'? closed, the operation being as follows:

When an excess current occurs on the line @8, the current transformer i9 energizes the relay Sii, which closes the contact Si, which in turn actuates the electro-valve which opens the main valve 52. The contact et closes at the same time, but remains inoperative because of the contact Eil which is open. The circuit breaker el is set under pressure, the contacts part rapidlyl` the arc is extinguished, the open contacts close the ex haust orifices, as more fully1 erplained herein above. Thus the current on the line fili is interrupted and the relay 5t opens at once its contacts. The electrovalve 53 remains nevertheless open, because the magnet coil thereof is still energized by current flowing through. the mainN taining contact 8o. After a certain time, however, predetermined by the retarding throttle 5c, the valve 58 opens actuates the disconnecting switch l?, which toward the end of its strobe opens the contact TE and cuts the supply the electrovalve 53 so that the latter closes, thus causing the closing of the main valve 52 and connecting the circuit-breaker Il? and all ducts to atmospheric pressure. Hereupon the contacts of the circuit breaker close which involves no inconvenie ce as the disconnecting switch i3 is svill open.

in the second case, when the rapid reclosindevice is to be used the cock remains open and the operation is the same in the rst oase up to the moment when the contacts of the breaker il part. But as the retardation the throttle (il is shorter than the retardation of throttle .60, the valve 58 opens before the opening of valve 58 and supplies pressure to the ducts 63 and 66. The pneumatic valve 59 puts through the duct 63 the control chamber of the valve 62 under pressure and prevents it from opening as long as the pressure has not disappeared in the duct t3. The compressed gas flowing through the pipe E55 drives the piston i3 in the direction of the arrow RE and, through rotation of the rod llt, Causes the closing of the contacts of the circuit-breaker lll, in a fully compressed gas atmosphere, as has been explained hereinabove in connection with Fig. 2. The eiect of this closure is, as already mentioned, the rapid opening of the valves E and 22 (Fig. 2) thus allowing for a subsequent new blast.

Ir" the fault on the line is has disappeared, the closing of the contacts of the breaker is not followed by any abnormal current and the relay t keeps its own contact open. After a certain time, determined by the throttle 12 feeding the volumetric chamber i3, the manometric device it opens the contact li. Hereby the electrovalve 53 and the valve 52 are closed and the arrangement returns to the initial position without any actuation of the disconnecting switch i3.

If, however, the fault in the line persists, the closing of the contacts or" the breaker restores the abnormal current, which then actuates the relay 5t once more.

rlhus the relay 5S closes its contacts 8i and 32. The closing of contact Si has no consequence, the electro-valve being already fed with current by its own contact SQ, because the contact 63 is closed as soon as the duct 55 is under pressure. rihus the electro-valve Ell opens and stays open owing to the current supplied by contact El. The valve @d shuts off the supply 65 of compressed gas and connects the ducts 63 and St to atmospheric pressure. This causes a backward stroke of the piston d3 in the direction of the arrow D and a new trip oi the breaker il which by the opening of the contacts thereof interrupts the short circuit a second time.

Furthermore the pneumatic valve $2 closes, thus permitting the valve 58 to open after a time predetermined by the throttle Sii. The opening of the valve 58 causes the opening of the disconnecting switch it which at the end of its strokes opens the contact 'il' and puts the electro-valves 5s and 5s out of action. In this way the whole arrangement returns to the initial position thereof. f the line i3 is to be closed again pressure is brought to bear by means of a device not shown in the drawings, for instance an electro-valve, on that face of the piston 'ill which corresponds to the closing. The contact 'il' is reclosed and the breaker is ready for a new trip.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also nd a useful application in other types of gas blast circuit breakers differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a gas blast circuit breaker having two horizontal chambers, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omtting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specic aspects of this invention and,

8, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a gas blast circuit breaker, in combination, a housing forming two horizontal chambers therein arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane and an exhaust chamber located between said two chambers, said housing including wall means separating said exhaust chamber from said two chambers and being formed with oppositely arranged openings for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chamber; two Contact members having end portions, respectively, facing each other, said contact members being arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a first position into a second position in which said contact members pass through said openings, and said end portions thereof are located in said exhaust chamber, said facing end portions of said contact members being in the second position thereof farther from each other than in the first position and located in said two chambers; means for establishing an electrical connection between said facing end portions of said contact members while the same are in the rst position thereof, said contact members being electrically disconnected when in the second position thereof; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the vertical plane of said` two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches, a predetermined level, said gas-operated means moving said contact members simultaneously from the lfirst into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings and thereupon the gap created by the movement of said contact members between said end portions thereof and eX- tinguishes the arc formed therebetween mainly passing through said outlet means.

2. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a housing forming two chambers and an exhaust chamber located between said two chambers, said housing including wall means separating said exhaust chamber from said two chambers and being formed with oppositely arranged openings for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chambers; two contact members having end portions, respectively, facing each other, said contact members being arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a first position in which said Contact members pass through said openings, and said end portions thereof are located in said exhaust chamber into a second position, said facing end portions of said contact members being in contact with each other in the nrst position of said contact members and in the second position thereof being farther from each other than in the first position and located in said two chambers, so as to establish an electrical connection between said facing end portions of said contact members while the same are in the nrst position thereof, said contact members being electrically disconnected when in the second position thereof; means for introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas contact members having end portions cooperating, respectively, in the nrst position thereof with said stationary contact members and being located in said exhaust chamber, and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the first position and located in said two chambers; two current terminals connected, respectively, to said two movable contacts, one of said terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of said terminals leading the current out of the circuit breaker; an electrical connection between said stationary contact members; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the median plane of said two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gasoperated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the first into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings and mainly passing the gap created by the movement of said movable contact members between said end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween thereupon through said outlet means.

'7. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a housing forming two horizontal chambers therein arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane and an exhaust chamber located between said two chambers, said housing including wall means separating said exhaust chamber from said two chambers and being formed with oppositely arranged openings for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chamber; two stationay contact members arranged in said chambers, respectively, symmetrically and close to the vertical plane, and passing through said openings; two contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a first position into a second position, said movable contact members having end portions cooperating, respectively, in the rst position thereof with said stationary contact members and being located in said exhaust chamber, and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the first position and located in said. two chambers; two current terminals connected, respectively, to said two movable contacts, one of said terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of said terminals leading the current out of the circuit breaker; an electrical connection between said stationary contact members; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the vertical plane of said two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chamber and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gas-operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the first into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings and mainly passing the gap created by the movement of said movable contact members between said end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween thereupon through said outlet means.

8. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a housing forming two chambers therein arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrically with respect to a median plane and an exhaust chamber located between said two chambers, said housing including wall means separating said exhaust chamber from said two chambers and being formed with oppositely arranged openings for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chamber; two stationary contact members arranged in said chambers, respectively, symmetrically and close to the median plane, and passing through said openings, said two stationary contact members consisting of one piece; two contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a rst position into a second position, said movable contact members having end portions cooperating, respectively, in the rst position thereof with said stationary contact members and being located in said exhaust chamber, and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the iirst position and located in said two chambers; an electrical connection between said stationary contact members; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the median plane of said two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gas-operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the rst into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings and thereupon the gap created by the movement of said movable contact members between said end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween mainly passing through said outlet means.

` 9. A gas blast Circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a housing forming two horizontal chambers therein arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane and an exhaust chamber located between said two chambers, said housing including wall means separating said exhaust chamber from said two chambers and being formed with oppositely arranged openings for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chamber; two stationary contact members arranged in said chambers, respectively, symmetrically and closeto the vertical plane, and passing through said openings, said two stationary contact members consisting of one piece; two contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a first position into a second position, said movable contact members having end portions cooperating, respectively, in the first position thereof with said stationary contact members and being located in said exhaust chamber and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the first position and located in said two chambers; an electrical connection between said stationary contact members; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the vertical plane of said two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gasoperated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the rst into the econd position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings and thereupon the gap created by the movement of said movable Contact members between said end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween mainly passing through said outlet means.

1G. A ges circuit breaker, comprising in combina a housing forming two chambers therein "iged coaxially to each other and symetrically respect to a median plane and an exhaust chamber located between said two charnbers, said housing including wall means separatsaid exhaust chamber from said two ch s being formed with oppositely arranged penings -for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chamber; two stationary contact members ar 'leed in said chambers, respectively, symmetrically and close to the median plane, and passing through said openings, said two stationary Contact members consisting of one piece; two contact meinbers arranged, respectively, in said chambers movabiy from a first position into a second position, said movable contact members having end portions cooperating, respectively, in the rst position thereof with said stationary Contact and being located in said exhaust chamber, and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the first position and lo- 'ed in two chambers; two current terminals connecte respectively, to said two mo ole contacts, one of said terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of said terminals leading the current out of the circuit breaker; an electrical connection between said stationary contact members; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the median plane or said two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gas-operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the rst into the second position t lereoi, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings and thereupon the gap created by the movement oi said movable contact members between said end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween mainly passing through said outlet means.

1l. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a housing forming two horizontal chambers therein arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane and an exhaust chamber located between said two chambers, said housing including wall means separating said exhaust chamber from said two chambers and being formed with oppositely arranged openings for communication between said exhaust chamber and said two chambers; outlet means communicating with said exhaust chamber; two stationary Contact members arranged in said chambers, respectively, symmetrically and close to the vertical plane, and passing through said openings, said two stationary contact members consisting of one piece; two Contact niembers arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a iirst position into a second position, movable contact members having end portions cooperating, respectively, in the nrst position thereof with said stationary contact members and being located in said exhaust chamber, and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the nrst position and located in said two chambers; two current terminals connected, respectively, to said two movable contacts, one of said terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of said terminals leading the current out of the circuit breaker; an electrical connection between said stationary Contact members; conduit means having an axis of symmetry arranged in the vertical plane or" two chambers, said conduit means communicating with said two chambers and introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches predetermined level, said gas-operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the first into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber through said openings thereupon the gap created by the movement of said movable contact members between said end portions thereof and extinguishes the arc lormed therebetween mainly passing through said outlet means.

12. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a hollow vertical support; a hollow member arranged on said hollow vertical si port and having an exhaust chamber comm lcating therewith; two hollow horizontal insulators a ranged on opposite sides of said hollow member so as to communicate with said exhaust chamber, said two hollow horizontal insulators forming two horizontal chambers arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrical with respect to said hollow member; two stationary nozzle members arranged at the opposite sides of said hollow member and extending, respectively, into two horizontal chambers and into said exhaust cham-- ber; two contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a rst position into a second position, said mvable contact menibers cooperating, respectively, in the first position thereof with said stationary nozzle members and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the rst position and located in said two chambers; means for establishing an electrical connection between movable Contact members in the rst position thereof, said movable contact members being electrically disconnected when in the seco' d position thereof; means including said hollen7 vertical support for introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operate by the gas under pressure when the pressure or the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gas orerated means moving said movable contact n simultaneously from the rst into the secon position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber and the created by the movement of said contact members and extinguishes the arc formed therebetwee 13. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a hollow vertical support; a hollow member arranged on said hollow vertical support and having an exhaust chamber communicating therewith; two hollow horizontal insulators arranged on opposite sides of said hollow member so as to communicate with said exhaust chamber, said two hollow horizontal insulators forming two horizontal chambers arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrical with respect to said hollow member; two stationary contact members arranged at the opposite sides of said hollow member and extending, respectively, into said two horizontal chambers and into said exhaust chamber; two contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a first position into a second position, said movable contact members cooperating, respectively, in the first position thereof with said stationary contact members and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the first position and located in said two chambers; means for establishing an electrical connection between said stationary contact members so as to connect said movable contact members electrically with each other in the iirst position thereof, said movable contact members being electrically disconnected when in the second position thereof; means including said hollow vertical support for introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gas operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the :rst into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber and the gap created by the movement of said contact members and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween.

14. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a hollow vertical support; a hollow member arranged on said hollow vertical support and having an exhaust chamber communicating therewith; two hollow horizontal insulators arranged on opposite sides of said hollow member so as to communicate with said exhaust chamber; said two hollow horizontal insulators forming two horizontal chambers arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrical with respect to said hollow member; two stationary nozzle members aranged at the opposite sides of said hollow member and extending, respectively, into said two horizontal chambers and into said exhaust chamber; two Contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a iirst position into a second position, said movable contact members cooperating, respectively, in the first position thereof with said stationary nozzle members and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the rst position and located in said two chambers; two

current terminals connected, respectively, to said r two movable contacts, one of said terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of said terminals leading the current out of the circuit breaker; means for establishing an electrical connection between said movable contact sure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermined level, said gas operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the rst into the second position thereof; whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber and the gap created by the movement of said contact members and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween.

15. A gas blast circuit breaker, comprising in combination, a hollow vertical support; a hollow member arranged on said hollow vertical support and having an exhaust chamber communicating therewith; two hollow horizontal insulators arranged on opposite sides of said hollow member so as to communicate with said exhaust chamber, said two hollow horizontal insulators forming two horizontal chambers arranged coaxially to each other and symmetrical with respect to said hollow member; two stationary contact members arranged at the opposite sides of said hollow member and extending, respectively, into said two horizontal chambers and into said exhaust chamber; two Contact members arranged, respectively, in said chambers movably from a rst position into a second position, said movable contact members cooperating, respectively, in the first position thereof with said stationary contact members and being farther from each other in the second position thereof than in the first position and located in said two chambers; two current terminals connected, respectively, to said1 two movable contacts, one of said terminals leading current into the circuit breaker, the other of said terminals leading the current out of the circuit breaker; means for establishing an electrical connection between said stationary contact members so as to connect said movable contact members electrically with each other in the rst position thereof, said movable Contact members being electrically disconnected when in the second position thereof; means including said hollow vertical support for introducing gas under pressure into said chambers; and means operated by the gas under pressure when the pressure of the gas reaches a predetermind level, said gas operated means moving said movable contact members simultaneously from the first into the second position thereof, whereby the gas under pressure enters said exhaust chamber and the gap created by the movement of said contact members and extinguishes the arc formed therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,955,551 Kopeliowitsch July 3, 1934 2,253,196 Paul Aug. 19, 1941 2,454,586 Amer Nov. 22, 1948 

